Courses

Jaguar Jumps End of Year Celebration   

Fee:  Free

Date: April 15, 2025

Time: 4:30 to 6:30p.m.

Event Description: Join us for an end of year celebration!

Jaguar Jumps, SSSRA, and More!   

Fee:  $15 to cover lunch costs

Date: June 18, 2025

Time: 10 to 3 p.m. 

Event Description: Prepare for a day of growth and discovery! SSSRA will facilitate outdoor games and team-building activities that encourage teamwork and problem-solving. We'll also be expressing ourselves through fun arts and crafts projects. Career Services will be joining us to offer self-exploration and career investigation workshops, helping participants gain valuable insights into their skills and potential career paths. Please remember that outdoor activities are weather-dependent.

Date: July18, 2025

Time: 10 to 3 p.m. 

Event Description: Embark on a day of exploration and empowerment! We'll be taking the Pace Bus from GovState to downtown Park Forest, where we'll have a unique opportunity to learn about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) from OAI. This will provide valuable insights into career pathways and resources. Following this informative session, we'll enjoy lunch and then collaborate with the Village of Park Forest on a fun and engaging activity designed for growth and discovery. Please bring your bus and lunch money.

Course Fee: $299 

Dates: September 10 to December 3, 2025

Times:  Wednesdays 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Course Description: Introduces college readiness concepts to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are striving for college readiness. Must pass initial interview with GovState staff and have completed high school hours. Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools and agree to baseline assessments and intake process with GovState staff. This course is one of a series of courses offered through the School of Extended Learning. The course materials and schedule prepare individuals with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities to understand the rigors of maintaining a college schedule or work training program schedule. The course is specifically designed for individuals who wish to develop skills to assist them to obtain employment and/or engage in their community and the world around them.

Restrictions: Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools, agree to baseline assessments.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

Attend a 90-minute course session without interruption

Demonstrate readiness to participate in the course session by having all materials needed at hand

Demonstrate how to access a library online system and appropriately interact with library staff

Advocate for personal learning supports

Identify available university and community supports

Identify local DRS counselors, government leaders, civic leaders

Instructional Modality:  Lecture/discussion. 75% synchronous online via Zoom, 25% face to face

Required Materials: 

No required texts

Materials will be distributed electronically to all students and also stored on the Blackboard course shell

Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)

Access to BB/Website/Other

System Requirement for BB

This course requires minimum system (computer) requirements. Students are responsible for all software downloads, upgrades, updates, etc.

Blackboard Learn 9.1 Always run a "tune up" when using BlackBoard Any questions you might have regarding BlackBoard can be found in Student Helpdesk in the BlackBoard Login page (GSU)

Java Runtime Environment Java is required for Blackboard Learn 9.1. Download it from http://www.java.com/en/ Always check to make sure the latest version of Java is installed on your computer. Apple's MacOS10.x can ensure the latest version of Java for OSX by running the Apple Update.

Acceptable Document Files The following document file types are considered acceptable for use in Blackboard and for submitting assignment work to the Blackboard system:

Microsoft Word: .doc,.docx, Microsoft Excel: .xls, .xlsx, Microsoft PowerPoint: .ppt, .pptx, Rich Text Format: .rtf, Adobe Acrobat: .pdf, Image form: .jpg, .jpeg, .gif,.png.  (To determine the type of file you are submitting, simply right click the unopened file and select the "properties" tab)

Jaguar Jumps 2 (JJ2): Post High School Advancement for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Course Fee: $299 

Dates: September 10 to December 3, 2025

Times:  Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Course Description: Introduces college readiness concepts to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are striving for college readiness. Must pass initial interview with GovState staff and have completed high school hours. Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools and agree to baseline assessments and intake process with GovState staff. This course is one of a series of courses offered through the School of Extended Learning. The course materials and schedule prepare individuals with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities to understand the rigors of maintaining a college schedule or work training program schedule. The course is specifically designed for individuals who wish to develop skills to assist them to obtain employment and/or engage in their community and the world around them.

Restrictions: Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools, agree to baseline assessments.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Attend a 90-minute course session without interruption
2. Demonstrate readiness to participate in the course session by having all materials needed at hand
3. Demonstrate how to access a library online system and appropriately interact with library staff
4. Advocate for personal learning supports
5. Identify available university and community supports
6. Identify local DRS counselors, government leaders, civic leaders

Instructional Modality:  Lecture/discussion. 75% synchronous online via Zoom, 25% face to face